Ryan Coogler confirmed to direct Marvel’s BLACK PANTHER

First rumored last month, Creed director Ryan Coogler has now officially taken the director’s chair on Marvel Studios‘ upcoming “Phase Three” entry, Black Panther. Coogler made his feature film debut with the acclaimed Fruitvale Station, which was also headlined by Creed star Michael B. Jordan.

“We are fortunate to have such an esteemed filmmaker join the Marvel family,” says Kevin Feige of the Creed director. “The talents Ryan showcased in his first two films easily made him our top choice to direct ‘Black Panther.’ Many fans have waited a long time to see Black Panther in his own film, and with Ryan we know we’ve found the perfect director to bring T’Challa’s story to life.”

Chadwick Boseman is set to star as Black Panther‘s title hero. The film features a script by Joe Robert Cole and is set for release on February 16, 2018. It’s unclear what other characters will appear in the film, though Andy Serkis’ Ulysses Klaw, who made his debut in Avengers: Age of Ultron, could appear as the pair have already allegedly crossed paths in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Boseman will make his debut as the character in Captain America: Civil War, slated to debut in theaters May 6, 2016.

Ryan Coogler’s Creed is in theaters now. A spinoff of the Rocky franchise, the film just earned star Sylvester Stallone a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture.